Philosophy

By helping students to develop critical and creative reasoning skills, by teaching ethical frameworks, and by bringing the perspective of philosophy to their to their thinking, philosophy helps students think, argue and communicate more clearly and effectively about themselves, their place in the society, human knowledge, and moral problems. Philosophy aims at bringing the tools of the discipline to the student to encourage inquiry and the questioning of basic assumptions.

Major Description

Philosophy asks the big questions: Who am I? What is there? What can be known? How should I live? These lead to other questions about the relationship between the mind and the body, appearance and reality, truth and opinion, right and wrong, freedom and determinism, the individual and society, human beings and nature, and God and the afterlife. To ask these questions is to examine our most basic beliefs about human existence and the world we live in. At the same time, philosophy does not provide pat answers, but claims with Socrates that the goal is to live "the examined life." For this reason, the study of philosophy cultivates the skills of clear thinking and effective argumentation.

Philosophy Minors will be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to identify and evaluate philosophical arguments

Give, orally or in writing, a philosophical argument

Identify and explain philosophical problems along with possible solutions

Identify, explain, compare and contrast the views of important philosophers

Explain philosophical methods.

Give examples of how philosophy bears on their other studies and on human life in general.

Philosophy connects with many other disciplines, and students from all majors are invited to enroll in our courses and to seek a minor in Philosophy. For instance, students majoring in Medical Biology may take Philosophy of Biology, Philosophy of Science, and Bioethics. Psychology majors might be interested in Philosophy of Psychology, Philosophy of Mind, and The Nature of Human Nature.

Students seeking a program of study in Philosophy should choose a major in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Philosophy or develop a personal major.

We offer qualified students the option of participating in our Honors Program (http://www.une.edu/cas/programs/honors-program ) and graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member.

Curricular Requirements

The minor in Philosophy requires the completion of six courses (minimum 18 credits) with the PHI prefix. At least three of the six courses must be numbered 300 or greater.

Philosophy (PHI) courses

PHI 110 - Problems of Knowledge

PHI 120 - Living the Good Life

PHI 125 - Phil of Friendship, Love, Marriage, and Sex

PHI 150 - Critical Thinking

PHI 160 - Science, Pseudo Science, and Weird Ideas

PHI 183 - Free Will and Determinism

PHI 200 - Science and Human Nature

PHI 220 - Individual and Society

PHI 250 - Thinking Critically About Moral Problems

PHI 276 - HT I: Virtue and Happiness

PHI 278 - HT II: Knowledge, Sketicism and Reasonable Belief

PHI 302 - Good & Evil, Right & Wrong

PHI 304 - Social and Political Philosophy

PHI 307 - God, Life and the Hereafter

PHI 315 - Bioethics

PHI 318 - Chinese Philosophy

PHI 320 - Readings in History and Philosophy of Science

PHI 325 - Topics in Philosophy

PHI 330 - Environmental Philosophy

PHI 340- History of Philosophy: Descartes through Kant

PHI 350 - Ancient Philosophy

PHI 351 - Philosophy of Science

PHI 370 - Philosophy of Psychology

PHI 380 - Philosophy of Mind

PHI 401 - Directed Study in Philosophy

PHI 402 - Philosophy of Biology

PHI 408 - Theory of Knowledge

PHI 420 - Advanced Seminar

PHI 430 - What's Really Real

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate the ability to identify and evaluate philosophical arguments

Give, orally or in writing, a philosophical argument

Identify and explain philosophical problems along with possible solutions

Identify, explain, compare and contrast the views of important philosophers

Explain philosophical methods

Give examples of how philosophy bears on their other studies and on human life in general

Financial Information

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the University of New England for the 2014-2015 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of date of publication May 30, 2014.

The University of New England reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.